On Monday afternoon, I take a deep breath before entering my bakery. The place was surprising packed; I thought the customers would have gone elsewhere and the girls would have abandoned the place. But everything seems to still be in order, and I feel like crying for almost failing. It shows that they care about this business, maybe even more than I do. I force my way through the crowd. Georgia’s eyes light up when she sees me. ‘’Millie!’’ she pulls me into a hug. Everyone else turns their attention to me. ‘’You are back,’’ Tessann said, following with a hug. ‘’Yes, sorry I left you guys like that.’’ I apologize. Georgia waves me off. ‘’Girl, you had things to deal with and you are back now, so that is all that matters.’’ I can’t help my tears. ‘’You guys mean so much to me.’’ I get to my usual post to the checkout as if nothing had happened. ‘’Welcome back.’’ A girl smiles at me. ‘’Thank you.’’ When the rush hour was over, a sigh and sit on one of the bar stools. ‘’So, b
‘’So, how was your day?’’ Asher asks when we get into the car. I lean forward to take a good look at his face because I am stunned that he is asking me about my day. I can’t answer at first because I had to get my heart to stop racing. ‘’It was… despite only getting in at noon, it was still long. I am tired. How was your day?’’ I ask, hoping to keep the conversation going. ‘’Work was work.’’ ‘’Ok.’’ I nod even though he can’t see. So much for us making even a little process. The silence in the car stretched on and is so thick I could cut it. ‘’Are you hungry?’’ Asher’s rich voice cuts me out of my thoughts. ‘’You are asking me if I’m hungry?’’ I almost laugh, but my stomach grumbles and I guess that is all the answer he needs. Again, there is silence. I lean my head on the cool window and count the buildings as we pass them by. Hating that I have to always spend a long, awkward hour in the car with Asher every day. ‘’You seem to be close to your employees.’’ I nod. “Hmm. I
Millie has manage to destroy the barrier I try to put up between us. And the thing is, she isn’t even trying, but something had changed and I don’t know when or how. I don’t know if it is a good change, but with every time she looks at me, I get this feeling. I am not used to going to bed so early, so I make my way to my home gym to work off some of this built-up energy and frustration. This damn marriage deal is the worst thing I have ever done in my life. The worst deal ever is because I am not really benefiting. The more I look at it, I would have inherited my father’s company anyway because granddad doesn’t want it going to Richard. He is lazy, with no work ethic, and would run it to the ground in a few months. While as I am always seeking ways to improve it, even before taking up my position. I still don’t understand my father’s terms and don’t know how I will break things to Millie that she has to produce a child. I pause while lifting the weights, thinking that I can back
A sudden dinner comes up with a few business partners of mine. I can’t back out, plus they were eager to meet my wife. So I leave work early to pick up Millie for her to tag along. When I get to her bakery, she is there laughing with her employees. Her laugh is so soothing and calms me, which I never knew would be possible. Georgia gestures toward me, and when Millie turns, her eyes widen. ‘’Hey, you are early. Too early.’’ Her voice comes out in a rush. ‘’I have an arrangement I can’t back out of. A few business partners want to meet with me and discuss business over dinner. I don’t know why, but they would like to meet you as well.’’ Millie frowns at first. ‘’Hmm, ok.’’ ‘’If you don’t want to come and stay here until closing, I can always lie to them.’’ ’’No, there is no need to lie. I’ll come.’’ She turns to Georgia. ‘’Can you-’’ She cuts her off. ‘’You don’t even have to ask.’’ I follow Millie to her office as she goes for her bag and I hear her talking to herself. ‘’I
I find myself hurrying to Millie’s bakery, even though I am not exactly sure why. I tell myself that it is because I love the smell of the shop with all the baked goods, but deep down I know it is because I enjoy seeing Millie. I walk through the door, and she glances at me while still attending to a customer. She gives a little half smile, which she tried to hide, but I am glad to know that she is happy to see me as well. I take a seat, waiting for her to get done. I am well aware that I am early, but this is one of the few ways I spend time with her, even though we don’t talk. A college girl enters with her friends, one of the gasp while the other giggles and wave at me. With a sigh, I switch seats. Thinking that I shouldn’t be the first thing these people see when they enter. So now I am looking directly at Millie. When her eyes meet with mine, she fumbles and then places her hand on her forehead. I look around the place, seeing that I will make her nervous, noticing that all t
“So, that’s Andy?’’ I ask when Millie comes to sit back at the table with me. It doesn’t seem as if she could keep her smile in any longer and burst out with a laugh. ‘’What? Were you worried that you might have some sort of competition?’’ ‘’Well, he is still competition.’’ She laughs again. ‘’He is a sweet kid, but his mother said he is gravitating to me because I look like a friend of hers that passed away recently.’’ ‘’That’s…’’ ‘’Sad, I know.’’ I look at Millie, about to ask her a burning question. ‘’How do you feel about kids?’’ ‘’What do you mean? If I want kids?’’ I nod. ‘’They are a joy to watch from a distance.’’ She pauses and the way she said it, I thought she didn’t want any of her own. She smiles. As if thinking, already imagining it. ‘’I would love to have someday. With the right person, I hate the thought of being a single mother, so I will just wait until I find the right guy.’’ ‘Then we will teach him or her all we know. Right from wrong, how to bake, how
The ride home after our almost kiss is silent, but it has my head reeling. I glance at Asher, and he has a deep frown on his face. I don’t think he likes me much most time. I think he is only tolerating me for the sake of this contract so he can get the business from his father. ‘’We have a dinner to attend, I forgot to tell you.’’ His voice cuts through the silence. ‘’It’s always a dinner,’’ I say in a joking tone. ‘’Your partners might start to think that I and an owner of the company as well.’’ ‘’Actually, it will be just the two of us.’’ ‘’Oh,’’ I say. ‘’Will that be ok with you?’’ ‘’Yes, that’s fine.’’ Well, at least we could be alone and not have some girl interrupting us. Maybe I can actually really dress up and wear make-up for him. When we get home, Asher excused himself quickly, saying he needs to take a shower. But the bulge in his pants is a tall tale about what he really intends to do. I go to take a shower myself, and while in the shower, I imagine him touching
While getting ready for this dinner, which might just be our first official date, I feel nervous about what I choose to wear. So I try it on just to make sure I am making the right choice. I stare at myself in the mirror, the burgundy dress is form-fitting, with only one shoulder and a keyhole neckline. I thought of pairing it with white heels and spending a little extra time on my makeup and hair. So I pull out my curling iron, remove my dress, and when the iron is hot enough, I begin to twine my hair around it. After that, I do my eye makeup to and apply red lipstick that matches closely to my dress. When I’m done, I admire myself and my handy work. I love it, but I wonder what Asher will think. When I get downstairs, Asher has his phone to his ear, but when he sees me, his hand drops to his side and then quickly moves to his ear again. ‘’I have to go,’’ I hear him say. ‘’No dad,’’ he says a little rougher before ending the call. ‘’I’m ready,’’ I say, as if that isn’t obvious
Asher lustfully licks at my skin. When he quickens his pace just a fraction, I suck in a breath of air. “Shit.” “You’ll come again.” “Always giving orders,” I murmur, all my focus on the spot where we become one. “It wasn’t an order, Millie, just pointing out the obvious.” He buries his face in my neck and pinches my nipple, his thrusts uncompromising. I release something between a gasp and a groan. God, the strength of him holding me, it is just as powerful as his Thrusts. I loosen my hold on his wrist and splay my hand on top of his, silently telling him I want more pressure. “I’ll bruise you,” he whispers. “I want you to,” I whisper back, turning my head and pressing my forehead against his hot throat. “Why?” “I want everything from you, Asher, everything and more. I want you to leave a mark on me.” It is nothing more than a breathy statement that has a double meaning as I realize I am seconds away from another orgasm. “Open your mouth,” he orders, moving his head bac
The second his lips gives mine a break, Asher goes for my ears, licking and nipping his way down my throat to my boobs. I arch my back, offering myself to him. He latch onto my nipple with his mouth and start sucking with deep, sensual pulls as his other hand moves to caress and knead the other, getting it ready for the same treatment. I let my head drop back and tangled my fingers through his hair, gripping tight. My heart feels like it is beating in my throat, my pulse all over the place. There is one thing I am sure of: I would never forget Asher and his touch in this lifetime. When he sucked my nipple into his mouth deeper and harder than I am expecting him to, I have to steady myself with one hand curling around the hard muscle of his shoulder as I try my very best to catch my breath. Never in my life have I come from just that, but I am surprisingly close. “Asher,” I murmur on an exhalation as he hum and sucked my nipples, sending electricity all over my body. I am not sur
Releasing my breath, I lay there and cry my eyes out, wishing this would be easier. I wipe my tears, looking out the window. The door opens and I feel like just yelling at him, it seems as if he is just torturing me. Asher gets into bed beside me. ‘’I’m sorry.’’ His hand soon drops across me and as much as I want the comfort, I can’t let me play with my emotions like this. He moves his hand then start stroking my waist and then my arm. “Talk to me?” He kisses my neck How can I think of anything when he is touching me? “I’m not sure if you’ve noticed but I have nothing to say to you. This is all so confusing and I hate how you are with me at times.’’ I pause, thinking about what to say. ‘’I don’t like mind games and it feels just like that. You want me, you hate me. You are all loving then you are arrogant.’’ ‘’All of this is new to me Millie.’’ ‘’And don’t you think it is the same for me? I got married, lost my virginity and had a baby all in a year. Do you think I wanted
Releasing my breath, I lay there and cry my eyes out, wishing this would be easier. I wipe my tears, looking out the window. The door opens and I feel like just yelling at him, it seems as if he is just torturing me. Asher gets into bed beside me. ‘’I’m sorry.’’ His hand soon drops across me and as much as I want the comfort, I can’t let me play with my emotions like this. He moves his hand then start stroking my waist and then my arm. “Talk to me?” He kisses my neck How can I think of anything when he is touching me? “I’m not sure if you’ve noticed but I have nothing to say to you. This is all so confusing and I hate how you are with me at times.’’ I pause, thinking about what to say. ‘’I don’t like mind games and it feels just like that. You want me, you hate me. You are all loving then you are arrogant.’’ ‘’All of this is new to me Millie.’’ ‘’And don’t you think it is the same for me? I got married, lost my virginity and had a baby all in a year. Do you think I wanted
He also kisses me. I don’t know why I am so surprised, but he kisses me so many times. Every time he leans forward and I feel his lips moving against mine, asking for entrance, my heart lose its steady rhythm and I felt excitement bubbling up inside me, the kind of excitement you don’t know how to hold in, an excess of happiness. I love it. I completely fell for him, I don’t know when but here I am acting like a shy little school girl to a man I am already married to. But this is the most perfect date I’ve ever had in my life. My husband is perfect. With all his arrogance and prickliness, Asher, the once player is perfect for me. He isn’t what I have had in mind or even what I have wanted for myself, but he is perfect and already mine, truly mine. There is no doubt of that in my mind. ****** I wake in the middle of the night, finding Asher spooning me. I guess things are back to normal for us, the first two to three weeks after giving birth he would act as if I have the plague.
I sit down, and he takes his spot across from me. He looks at me for a long moment before he let out a long breath. “You take my breath away, Millie Thomas.” There goes my own breath. That is as real and as perfect as it gets. “Is this one of those times?” “Yes.” Clearing my throat, I lean my elbows on the table and rest my head on my hands. “That’s a good start. Keep going.” He smiles then his eyes slowly drops to my boobs. ‘Finally!’ I thought. “I thought I told you to cover yourself up, head to toe.” “And I listened to you,” I agree easily. “I wore my coat, my scarf, my gloves, my beret. I wore everything I could wear.” “Nice try,” he counter, shaking his head. “It’s freezing out there, you’re going to get sick.” “I won’t. It’s all cozy and warm and perfect in here.” A kid who barely looks sixteen drops off our menus, cutting into our conversation. I drop my elbows from the table and start checking out the options. The kid next to us is chattering away and making
“Take as much time as you need. I’ll wait for you downstairs.” “Okay. Promise I won’t be long. You can keep the maid’s company.” “Yes. How did I not think of that? I’ll just go do that.” When I can’t see him anymore, I shout after him from my perch on the stairs. “What should I wear? What kind of date is it?” “It’s a date—what else do you need to know? And I don’t care what you wear as long as you cover yourself up, neck to toe.” I do exactly that. I wear a red dress that isn’t too flashy. Short sleeves, open V neck, a relax fabric that gently hugs both my boobs and my hips and ends just above my knees. I quickly dry my thick hair and straightened it. I do my makeup, focusing heavily on the eyes. I wear my thick black coat and wrap my scarf around my neck, also donning my black leather gloves. Grabbing my cream ribbed beret from the top shelf of my closet, I put it on my head and walk out of the room in a hurry. I can’t exactly run yet because too much movement still caus
THERE iS a small knock on the door before it cracks open. “Millie?” ‘’Why are you knocking? We sleep in the same room.’’ I narrow my eyes. Then again, if you don’t want to have sex with me don’t come in,” I warn the only person who could be knocking on the door. Despite my warning, he opens it and stands there in all his glory. Same suit, same everything, face and frown and all. I stand there in my thankfully matching green bra and panties. I am standing with the towel in my hands, and I keep standing there as his hungry eyes takes in every inch of my half-naked body. I have hips now, but I like them. I like that there is more curve to me, a curve that love the touch of his hands. My boobs are much bigger from giving birth, but Asher doesn’t seem to mind. I’ve never been happier to have almost C cups now as I’ve been when I caught his eyes on them a time or two. In any case, we stand just like that, him in the doorway with eyes glued to me, me in the middle of the room with my b
“That word, babe just about killed me, Asher.” “You’re trying to distract me,” he mutters, and I smile because it is exactly what I am doing and it is working perfectly. I tilt my head to the side and take a big breath before going in again. No one had ever kissed me like Asher does, sure it hadn’t been much guys who have had the pleasure to search my mouth with their tongue, and I don’t think I ever want to find out if there is anyone else out there who could. “Why would I do that?” I whispers, my lips still touching his. I bite my lip. “Don’t get angry, I’m not saying we should act on it, but I really want you, Asher. Just so you know, it has been two months since I had our baby. I am so horny for you, I need to feel you again.” I feel his smile against my mouth and then his warm chuckle. The sound makes my heart sigh in happiness. “Really? I had no idea. You only say and text it every day, a couple times a day.” “And you never say it, or text it, or do it.” “Because I can